Hampden‑Wilbraham board chief: Higher teacher pay could lead to cuts, bigger workload

WILBRAHAM ― As teachers in Hampden and Wilbraham begin a contracted-work-only labor action, the School Committee says it remains committed to reaching a contract settlement but warns that moving significantly beyond its current proposals could lead to staff or program cuts.

Teachers in Hampden and Wilbraham say they volunteer their time to keep the schools running, from robotics clubs to graduation planning, but that stopped this month as contract negotiations stalled, union President Damian Konkoly said Thursday. Under a "work‑to‑rule" action, employees do only what their contracts require.

In a statement, Michal Boudreau, president of the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School Committee, said the district remains committed to reaching a fair and sustainable agreement with its educators.

Most School Committee members are current or former members of the Massachusetts Teachers Association, and the committee says it supports educators and students, and respects the work teachers do, Boudreau said.

Boudreau said the association has said that students deserve schools that are properly staffed, and have the resources and programs to meet their needs.

"We agree. To provide that responsibly, we must balance competitive compensation with the district's financial realities. Our offers reflect regional settlements and the fiscal capacity of our communities," he said.

Spending more on salaries and benefits would likely harm students and affect educator workloads.

The goal has been to settle these contracts quickly, so the district can provide well-deserved raises, and keep focused on teaching and learning, he said.

Boudreau said the committee recognizes that prolonged negotiations create uncertainty for staff and families.

Both parties have concluded that they are at an impasse and have jointly requested mediation.

The committee will participate fully and in good faith.

The association represents more than 375 teachers, aides and other providers across the Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District.

Educators say their decision to stop doing unpaid work is intended to highlight how much of the district's programming depends on labor performed outside contract hours, including clubs, school events and informal student support.

Konkoly said the action is meant to draw attention to the need for a contract that recognizes that extra work.

Contract negotiations have stalled over pay, preparation time and paid parental leave, Konkoly said. The union is seeking paid leave for births or adoptions separate from sick time, which he said educators currently must use for pregnancy‑related appointments.

Another negotiation session is scheduled for Feb. 24. He said teachers will continue contract-only work until a new bargain is reached.

Superintendent John Provost could not be reached for comment.

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